Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 4
रुद्ररथ-निर्माणवर्णनम् / Description of Rudra’s Divine Chariot Construction
सनत्कुमार उवाच । शृणु व्यास महाप्राज्ञ रथादेर्निर्मितिं मुने । यथामति प्रवक्ष्येऽहं स्मृत्वा शिवपदाम्बुजम्
sanatkumāra uvāca | śṛṇu vyāsa mahāprājña rathādernirmitiṃ mune | yathāmati pravakṣye'haṃ smṛtvā śivapadāmbujam
Sanatkumāra berkata: “Dengarlah, wahai Vyāsa yang maha bijaksana, wahai muni, tentang pembuatan kereta dan segala perlengkapannya. Menurut pemahamanku, akan aku jelaskan setelah terlebih dahulu mengingati teratai kaki Tuhan Śiva.”
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Mantra: smṛtvā śivapadāmbujam
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse teaches that sacred knowledge and even worldly action should begin with Śiva-smaraṇa—remembering Śiva’s lotus-feet—so the mind, speech, and intention become aligned with Pati (Śiva), the supreme Lord who grants purity and right understanding.
By invoking “Śiva’s lotus-feet,” the text models Saguna devotion—personal remembrance of the Lord’s form and grace—an attitude that also underlies Liṅga-worship, where the devotee begins every rite with reverent recollection and surrender.
A simple practice of smaraṇa: before study, narration, or ritual, mentally bow to Śiva’s feet and recite a Śiva-nāma (e.g., “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), establishing devotion and inner steadiness.